PENN Fierce spinning reel 6000 or 6000LL?

[tristan]

Don't have any feedback about the Fierce model in particular, but I'll say that I've really come to appreciate the Live Lining (Bait Running, etc.) feature on my Okumas. For the additional $20 I'd be real tempted.

[KingSalmon]

That's what I'm thinking too. 

[imac813]

Live Liner is a great option for fishing when you’re targeting fish that don’t “thump” but rather pick the bait up and run before eating the bait. LL/baitfeeders allows you to freeline without having to keep the bail open. If funds are limited go with the LL, gives you more options/fishing styles with a single rig.

[snookninja]

Hey KingSalmon,

Sent you a PM on my thoughts on the Fierce combo. The combo is cheap for a reason, the rods are junk, the reel with a simple upgrade is decent for the money. Replace the felt drag washers with Carbonex ones.

Baitrunners are a good all round reel, has the benefits of a Conventional reel where you can free line and the ease of use of a spinner. With spinners I think your better putting the money in the rod, on a spinner the rod does the work, on the conventional's the reel does the work, you can turn the handle on a conventional reel against the drag, you can't do that on a spinner as the spinner will break. So cheaper spinning reels and spend the money on the rod, or spend the money on a conventional and opt for a cheaper rod.

Shimano make the better baitrunners, but Penn, Finnor, daiwa and okuma make good ones. Best to get the sealed ones if beach fishing is something you do or if reels will spend time on a boat. Lot's of people swear by the Penn Liveliners, I've witnessed big fish and sharks caught on them.

If you don't need the Liveliner function, then I'd look at the diawa BG, it's an amazing reel for the cash.

[KingSalmon]

6000 models says because of weight they can cause fatique when holding for a time  5000 can do the same thing.  3000 are too small...4000LL although it doesn't hold as much line as the 6000 series, but they say they are the most prevalent and hit the sweet spot in the middle range.

                     

[snookninja]

Get the 4000  it has a ton of line capacity, more than you'll need. Not many people get spooled on a 4000 sized reel and you'll never be able to cast past it's line capacity.

The 4500 is bigger, lots more line, weight is closer to the 5000/6500 these are big reels. If you have a problem holding them, you're going to have a problem landing anything they will be close to maxing them out.

If weight's the problem go with the shimanos, the Sorroco 5000/6000. Still not as much line capacity as the BG's in the same size but lighter by 5oz. Or the shimano bait runners.


Cost/weight/line capacity unless you have unlimited budget pick two of the three requirements and compromise on the 3rd. Your target fish should dictate the reel size.

LiveLiners are great, but do you really need it? How often to you hold your rods, if you like to hold them 80% of the time, then you don't need the feature, if you put them down 80% of the time then get the biggest you can afford, weight won't matter. Don't for get the cost to spool them with braid.

[KingSalmon]

I'm leaning toward the Penn Fierce II  4000LL, any rod suggestions?     (I'm going to use 30lb braid)

[imac813]

Oct 11, 2017 0:07:00 GMT -5 KingSalmon said:

I'm leaning toward the Penn Fierce II  4000LL, any rod suggestions?     (I'm going to use 30lb braid)

Hurricane Calico Jack Inshore MH 7ft. It will handle your pier and inshore needs.

[snookninja]

Give us a budget. There are rods for $500's and rods for $30's.

My choice would be the TFO's, Star Rods, St Croix, Phenix, United Composites.

7.6ft Medium Heavy, fast action.

Best value would be the Star Rods, great warranty on them, Florida based company.

Great Value are TFO's (Temple Fork Outfitters) The rods are designed by Gary Loomis.

[yankeeredneck]

 I think someone else said it, there inexpensive for a reason. I have 2 Fierce reels that I retired early because there sloppy and wearing. Salt water fishing is harsh and finding a good value is difficult. Being a mechanic I'm all for easy fixes but repairing reels isn't fixing them, just prolonging the life. Save you money and buy something in the $100 range instead. I personally like Daiwa and have been giving Fin nor a try also. I literally have over 20 reels at home, most are crap because I bought cheap. Have you ever taken a live liner apart ? Look at a reel schematic, way too much going on. I prefer opening the bail and letting the fish or current take it. Look at Tackledirect or Cabelas. If your looking for budget try the Salt Strikers at Cabelas. I have purchased 6 and had the bail fail on one after 4 yrs. For $60 bucks just chuck them when they brake. TAckledirect often have buy one get one sales, go that route and for $110 you can get 2 nice Daiwa's. Read reviews on the new Black Gold, sounds like the best value on the market, good luck.

[yankeeredneck]

As far as rod's go, I like Cabela's. Read the reviews and go with a 12-20lb rating , not a 8-12. Look for sales, I like 54 million modulus. I fish in a Tarpon club, Star rods are nice but I have seen way too many rod breaks. I mainly trout fish while Tarpon season isn't going on. Daiwa has some nice graphite composites that shouldn't break. Go to your local fishing shop and feel the rods and shop online. If you want durability go something like an ugly stick or Cabelas whooping stick. You won't feel every nibble but you snap a high end graphite rod either.

[KingSalmon]

I just got two 7' MH Hurricane Calico Jack, Saltwater Spinning Rods for a total of $85.55 includint tax and shipping.     That's $42,26/ea.  Sold elsewhere for about $62 before tax.



Also, 2 Penn Spinfishers 4500s with Live Liner feature for $81.91/ea. before tax.  I couldn't resist the price...


 

[KingSalmon]

Thanks....me too!

[snookninja]

Good to see you picked up the Spinfishers, really robust reel. Spool them with 30lb line (Braid) and you can use 20lb to 50lb flurocarbon leaders. Or spool one with 20lb and one with 40lb braid.

[KingSalmon]

Cool, thanks...